Barcelona receive a huge boost ahead of Manchester United showdown

La Liga giants Barcelona has received a timely boost with the club confirming that French forward Ousmane Dembele was fit to face Manchester United in their Wednesday Champions League test.

Dembele has not played since he suffered a torn hamstring after coming off the bench against Lyon in the last round on March 13.A

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde accepted he had risked Dembele’s fitness and the France international was expected to miss both legs of the quarter-final against United.

But the forward returned to training earlier than anticipated and he was included in Barca’s travelling squad for Wednesday’s first leg at Old Trafford. He has now been passed fit for the game following a training session on Tuesday.

A statement on Barcelona website noted: “Having overcome the muscle problem in the femoral biceps of his left thigh which occurred against Lyon, Ousmane Dembélé is fit to play against Manchester United and will, therefore, be available for selection again for Ernesto Valverde.”

The 21-year-old’s return is a welcome boost for Barca as they seek to win the treble, having reached the Copa del Rey final and all-but guaranteed the LaLiga title by defeating nearest rivals Atletico Madrid at the weekend.

Dembele has scored eight LaLiga goals and a further three in the Champions League this term, with Barca seeking to reach their first final in the competition since 2015.